Engine pilot and coupler



Oct. 17, 1939.

F. H. KAYLER ENGINE PILOT ARD- COUPLER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 18, 19:56

Oct 1939. F. H. KAYLER JHGINE PILOT AND CQUPLER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 18, 1936 Patented Oct. 1 7, 1939 UNiTED STAES PATENT FFHQEE ENGINE PILOT AND COUPLER Application September 18, 1936, Serial No. 101,354

17 Claims.

This invention relates to couplers and more particularly to a form of coupler especially designed and constructed for use in a locomotive pilot.

5 The locomotive pilot is designed to provide a fender for the front end of the locomotive which will deflect obstacles which may accidentally be placed in its path. With the development of modern highway transportation, more frequent collisions have occurrred between locomotives and road vehicles. When such collisions occur it has been observed that the coupler which commonly projects beyond the pilot in its normal operative position frequently hinders the pilot in deflecting the obstacle from the path of the locomotive; furthermore, the obstacle sometimes becomes empaled upon the projecting coupler and, as a result, is prevented from being deflected from the path of the locomotive and instead is retained on the front end of the locomotive until it is brought to a stop; or the obstacle may be deflected downwardly by the coupler itself and thus driven into a position where it may become the cause of a derailment which otherwise might not have occurred.

To avoid such contingencies, couplers have been designed vertically tiltable on a horizontal axis so that the pilot may be left free of obstruction. An objection to such designs has been that in such cases the coupler is usually provided with a heavy counterweight which makes it unwieldly and makes it difficult to shift back and forth between operative and inoperative positions. An additional objection to such an arrangement has been that in such constructions the pilot must be provided. with a large opening at its central portion within which the vertically swinging coupler may be operated.

An object of my invention is to overcome the various difficulties above enumerated and in general to provide a pilot coupler structure which will meet all the requirements of modern transportation.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a deflecting locomotive pilot which, when in inoperative position, will conform substantially to the contour design of the pilot, thus providing a smooth surface for the deflection of obstacles.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a deflecting coupler which may be rotated on a vertical axis from operative to inoperative position and securely fixed in either of these positions.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide such a deflecting coupling in a form which will permit the normal amount of lateral angling required in the standard coupler and which Will limit lateral angling to the said normal requirement. 5

A yet further object is to provide a novel form of pilot with a deflecting coupler wherein said coupler shall be vertically adjustable to compensate for locomotive tire wear or for other variations in coupler height. 10

With these and various other objects in view, my invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims append- 15 ed hereto.

In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the front end 2o of a locomotive embodying my novel form of locomotive pilot and deflectable pilot coupler;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the locomotive pilot and coupler structure shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the structure 25 shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the coupler structure, the section being taken substantially in the vertical plane indicated by the line li4 of Figure 1; 30

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the pilot coupler structure, the section being taken substantially in the vertical center plane of the structure as indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 1, the coupler being shown in its 3 deflected or inoperative position; and

Figure 6 is a sectional view through the pilot coupler structure, the section being taken sub stantially in the vertical plane indicated by the line 66 of Figure l. 40

Describing my novel pilot and coupler structure in more detail, the locomotive frame structure 2 has the end sill 4 and is supported on the wheel and axle assembly 8 in the usual manner. My novel pilot may consist of an integral casting 5 generally designated 8 which may be secured to the end sill as by means of bolts or rivets (not shown) or in any convenient manner. The pilot casting 8 is a generally box-like structure having the rear wall I0, the divergent sloping front wall 50 I2, the bottom IQ, and the top It integrally cast with the sloping side walls I8 and 20. A portion of the bottom I i may be cored out as at 22 to decrease the weight of the casting. Vertically arranged reinforcing walls 24-44 are provided 55 on each side of the pilot casting longitudinally thereof and these walls may be cored out at at 2% to lighten the casting. The upper and lower horizontal Walls 28 and 36 respectively define the cavity 32 (Figure l) within which the coupler 34 may be received. The upper wall 23 is offset upwardly as at 36 and the lower wall 335 is offset downwardly as at 38 (Figure 3) providing a cavity of larger dimensions in the right side of the pilot for the reception of the head portion of the coupler 34. The vertically narrower portion of the cavity 32 is designed to accommodate the normal vertical width of the shank 46 of the coupler and in addition the shims 22 i"2 which may be placed above or below the coupler, as desired, in order to vary itsheight above the rail as may be required because of the wheel wear or other reasons.

In Figure 1 the coupler 34 is shown in full lines in its normal operative position and in phantom or dotted outline in its normal inoperative position. In its normal, operative position it is secured in place by the pin 44 which is secured in vertically aligned openings 43 and 56 respectively formed in the upper and lower horizontal walls 28 and 3 and is received within the slot 35 formed in the coupler shank dd. At the points Where the openings 48 and 50 are formed in the respective walls 28. and 30, reinforcing and wear pads 42 and 53 may be provided for abutment of the pin 44. When the coupler is in normal operative position its lateral motion is limited by the pin 53 which is received in vertically aligned arcuate openings 56 a nd58 formed respectively in the upper and lower horizontal walls 28 and 30, said pin 54 being received within the elongated slot it which is formed within the coupler shank 50. To move the coupler from its operative position as shown in full lines in. Figure 1 to its inoperative position as shown in dotted lines, the pin 54 is removed and the coupler 34 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction (Figure 1) about the pin Q4 as a pivot and thereafter the coupler is moved laterally so that the pin 44 slides along the slot 56 until it abuts the opposite end of said slot. Thereafter, the pin 5A is secured in the vertically aligned openings 62-452 formed in the upper and lower horizontal walls 28 and 30, passing through the slot 55 in the coupler shank and I being secured therein at the end adjacent the tail of the coupler and opposite the end abutted by the pin 44. It will thus be seen that by provision of the elongated slot 46 in the coupler shank I am enabled to use a shallower housing or pilot structure than would otherwise be possible when utilizing a coupler of normal length. This arrangement also permits a smaller opening in the front ofthe pilot than would otherwise be required for a coupler of normal size. In this latter position the coupler is hidden from view and no projecting part extends beyond the normal front surface of the pilot since that side of the coupler facing outwardly is designed to conform to the front surface of the pilot as hereafer more fully described.

On the knuckle side the coupler has the integrally formed horizontal wall 6 3 and the diagonally sloping and arcuately formed flange or outer wall 6% which conforms. substantially to the contour of the sloping front wall it. of the pilot 8, thus providing substantial closure for the opening 32 in the front wall of the pilot when the coupler has been swung laterally and moved into inoperative position.

When in inoperative position, the coupler head is partially concealed and shielded by the overlapping front wall portion 68 and the lower overlapping front wall portion in (Figure 3). The sloping arcuate flange $5 integrally formed with the coupler will then conform to the contour of the front wall l 2 of the pilot, substantially closing the opening otherwise present when the coupler is in its operative position.

It is to be understood that I do not Wish to be limited by the exact embodiments of the device shown, which are merely by way of illustration and not limitation, as various and other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a locomotive the combination of a pilot comprising a pocket defined by horizontal walls having aligned arcuate slots therein, a oouplet pivotally secured in said pocket and receivable therein and laterally movable from operative to inoperative position wherein said coupler is housed within said opening, said coupler having a side constructed and arranged to conform substantially to the adjacent contour of the front Wall of said pilot when said coupler is in inoperative position, means to lock said coupler in operative position, said means comprising a longitudinal slot in said coupler, a pivot pin secured between said walls and slidably received in said longitudinal slot, and stop means secured in said arcuate slots and cooperating with said longitudinal slot, said parts being so constructed and arranged as to permit the removal of said stop means, and the sliding of said coupler along said longitudinal slot about said pivot pin to shift said coupler from operative to inoperative position.

2. Thecoinbination of a locomotive pilot of relatively shallow depth having spaced horizontal Walls defining a coupler receiving pocket, a coupler of normal length pivotally and slidably supported in said pocket for lateral movement therein and comprising a longitudinal slot, arcuate slots in said horizontal walls, stop means cooperating with said arcuate slots to limit the lateral movement of said coupler when in pulling position, pivot means extending between said walls and received in said longitudinal slot, said pivot means being positioned in one end of said longitudinal slot when said coupler is in pulling position and positioned in the opposite end of said slot when said coupler is in receded position, whereby said normal length coupler may be received in said relatively shallow pilot, said coupler having a lateral flange conforming to the adjacent contour of the front wall of said pilot and adapted to close a portion of the open end of said pilot when said coupler is in said receded position.

3. A one-piece locomotive pilot of relative shallow depth comprising a substantially smooth arcuate front wall having an opening therein defined by horizontal walls, a coupler of normal length pivotally secured in said opening and projecting therefrom when in pulling position and receivable therein into inoperative position, said coupler having a side conforming substantially with the adjacent contour of said front wall and adapted to close at least a portion of said openng when inperative, and pivot means secured between said horizontal walls, said coupler having a longitudinal slot cooperating with said pivot means, said pivot means being positioned in one end of said slot when said coupler is in pulling position andbeing positioned in the opposite end of i said slot when said coupler is inoperative, whereby said coupler of normal length is receivable in said relatively shallow pilot.

l. In combination a locomotive pilot structure of relatively shallow depth having an opening therein, a coupler of normal length pivotally secured in said opening and projecting therefrom when in pulling position and housed therein when inoperative, and pivot means secured on said pilot structure, said coupler having a longitudinal slot cooperating with said pivot means and slidable therealong from operative to inoperative position, whereby said normal length coupler may be received in said shallow pilot structure, said coupler having a lateral flange conforming to the adjacent contour of the front wall of said pilot and adapted to close at least a portion of said opening when said coupler is inoperative.

5. A one-piece locomotive pilot of relatively shallow depth comprising a substantially smooth arcuate front wall having an opening therein, a coupler of normal length pivotally secured in said pilot and projecting from said opening when in pulling position, said coupler having a side conforming substantially to the adjacent contour of said front wall and adapted to close at least a portion of said opening when inoperative, pivot means secured in said pilot, and a longitudinal slot in said coupler cooperating with said pivot means and slidable therealong from operative to inoperative position, said pivot means being positioned in one end of said slot when said coupler is in pulling position and being positioned in the opposite end of said slot when said coupler is inoperative whereby said normal length coupler may be received in said shallow pilot.

6. The combination of a locomotive pilot having spaced horizontal walls and spaced vertical walls, one of said vertical walls having a coupler opening, a coupler pivotally and slidably supported in said opening between said horizontal walls for lateral movement therein, aligned arcuate' slots in said last mentioned walls, means cooperating with said slots and said coupler to limit said lateral movement when the coupler is in operative position, pivot means having its opposite ends secured in said horizontal walls respectively, and a longitudinal slot in said coupler receiving said pivot means and adapted to accommodate sliding movement thereof as said coupler moves from operative to inoperative position, said coupler having a flange conforming in contour to the front wall of said pilot adjacent said opening and arranged to close at least a portion of said opening when in inoperative position.

7. In combination a locomotive pilot structure ofrelatively shallow depth, a coupler of normal length pivotally secured therein and projecting therefrom when in pulling position and housed therein when inoperative, and pivot means secured in said pilot structure, said coupler having a longitudinal slot receiving said pivot means and cooperable therewith in pulling position and when inoperative, said pivot means being positioned in one end of said longitudinal slot when said coupler is in pulling position and positioned in the opposite end of said slot when said coupler is inoperative, said coupler being slidable on said pivot means and rotatable thereabout through approximately ninety degrees to permit said normal length coupler to be housed in said pilot structure.

8. A locomotive pilot structure of relatively shallow depth having a substantially smooth arcuate front wall with a recess therein defined by spaced horizontal walls, a plurality of aligned openings in said walls, a pivot pin secured in certain of said openings, a coupler of normal length having a longitudinal slot along which said pivot pin is slidable, said coupler being mounted on said pivot pin and laterally movable within said recess, whereby said normal length coupler may be received within said shallow pilot structure, and means cooperating with other of said aligned openings and with said longitudinal slot to limit said lateral movement when said coupler is in normal pulling position, said means being removable to permit said coupler to be rotated about said pivot means approximately ninety degrees to inoperative position within said structure.

9. In combination, a locomotive pilot structure of relatively shallow depth, a coupler of normal length pivotally secured therein and projecting therefrom when in operative position and housed therein when in inoperative position, said coupler having a longitudinal slot receiving coupler pivot means, said pivot means being positioned in one end of said longitudinal slot when said coupler is in pulling position and shiftable to the opposite end of said slot when said coupler is in inoperative position, whereby a coupler of normal length may be housed in said relatively shallow pilot structure, said coupler having a lateral flange conforming to the contour of the front wall of said pilot adjacent said opening and arranged to close at least a portion of said opening.

10. In a locomotive the combination of a pilot comprising a pocket having horizontal walls, a coupler pivotally secured in said pocket and laterally movable from operative to inoperative position within said pocket, said coupler having a side constructed and arranged to conform substantially to the adjacent contour of the front Wall of said pilot when said coupler is in inoperative position, and means to lock said coupler in operative or inoperative position, said means comprising a longitudinal slot in said coupler, a coupler pivot pin secured between said walls and received in said longitudinal slot and shiftable therein from end to end as said coupler moves from operative to inoperative position, arcuate slots and aligned openings in said walls, and stop means positioned in said arcuate slots and cooperating with said longitudinal slot, said pivot pin being positioned in one end of said longitudinal slot when said coupler is in pulling position and being positioned in the opposite end of said slot when said coupler is in inoperative position, said stop means being removable from said arcuate slots and receivable in said aligned openings and said longitudinal slot to maintain said coupler in said inoperative position in said pocket.

11. A one-piece locomotive pilot of relatively shallow structure comprising a substantially smooth arcuate front wall having an opening therein defined by spaced horizontal walls having aligned arcuate slots therein, and a coupler of normal length pivotally secured in said opening and projecting therefrom when in operative position and receivable therein when in inoperative position, said coupler having a side conforming substantially to the adjacent contour of said front wall and adapted to close at least a portion of said opening when said coupler is in inoperative position, said coupler having a longitudinal slot cooperating with coupler pivot means secured between said walls and cooperating with stop means received in said arcuate slots, said pivot means being shiftable in said longitudinal slot from end to end thereof as said coupler is moved from operative and secured in inoperative position, said stop means being removable to permit said shift.

12. A one-piece locomotive pilot of relatively shallow depth comprising a substantially smooth arcuate front wall having an opening therein defined by horizontal walls, aligned arcuate slots in said walls, a coupler of normal length pivotally secured in said opening and projecting therefrom when in operative position and receivable therein in inoperative position, a longitudinal slot in said coupler, coupler pivot means secured between said walls and received in said longitudinal slot, removable stop means secured in said arcuate slots and cooperating with said longitudinal slot, said coupler being slidable and rotatable approximately ninety degress on said pivot means from operative or pulling position to inoperative or receded position by removal of said stop means, whereby said coupler of normal length is receivaoie in said relatively shallow pilot.

13. The combination of a locomotive pilot of relatively shallow depth having spaced horizontal walls defining an opening therein, a coupler of normal length pivotally and slidably supported between said horizontal walls for lateral movement therein, arcuate slots in said Walls, means cooperating with said coupler and said slots to limit lateral movement of said coupler when in pulling position, and pivot means secured between said vertical walls and cooperating with a longitudinal slot in said coupler, said pivot means being positioned in one end of said longitudinal slot when said coupler is in pulling position and slidable to the opposite end of said slot as said coupler is rotated through approximately ninety degrees about said pivot means to inoperative position, whereby said normal length coupler may be received in said relatively shallow pilot.

14. A locomotive pilot structure of relatively shallow depth having a front wall, a recess in said wall defined by spaced horizontal walls having a plurality of aligned openings therein, coupler pivot means secured in certain of said aligned openings, a coupler of normal length received in said recess and having an elongated slot cooperating with said pivot means, stop means slidable in other of said aligned openings and cooperating with'said elongated slot to limit the lateral movement of said coupler in pulling position, said stop means being removable to permit further lateral movement of said coupler to inoperative position wherein said coupler is longitudinally movable on said pivot means along said slot to permit said normal length coupler to be housed within said shallow structure, and means cooperable with still other of said aligned openings and with said longitudinal slot for securing said coupler in said inoperative position.

15. A one-piece locomotive pilot of relatively shallow depth comprising a substantially smooth arcuate front wall having an opening therein, and a coupler of normal length pivotally secured in said pilot and projecting from said opening when in operative position, said coupler having a side conforming susbtantially to the front wall of said pilot adjacent said opening and arranged to close at least a portion of said opening when said coupler is in inoperative position, said coupler having a longitudinal slot receiving coupler pivot means, said pivot means being positioned in one end of said longitudinal slot when said coupler is in pulling position and adapted to move to the opposite end of said slot when said coupler is in inoperative position, whereby said coupler of normal length may be housed in said relatively shallow pilot.

16. The combination of a locomotive pilot having spaced horizontal walls and spaced vertical walls, a coupler opening in one of said vertical walls, a coupler pivotally and slidably supported said opening between said horizontal walls for lateral movement therein, arcuate slots in said horizontal walls, means cooperating with said coupler and said slots to limit said lateral movement when said coupler is in operative position, and a longitudinal slot in said coupler receiving coupler pivot means and accommodating movement of said pivot means from end to end of said slot as said coupler is moved from operative to inoperative position, said coupler having a lateral flange conforming in contour to the front wall of said pilot adjacent said opening and arranged to close at least a portion of said opening when in inoperative position.

1'7. A locomotive pilot of relatively shallow depth having a substantially smooth, arcuate sloping front wall, a recess in said front wall defined by spaced horizontal walls having a plurality of aligned openings therein, pivot means in certain of said aligned openings, stop means slidable in other of said aligned openings, and a coupler of normal length having a longitudinal slot in the shank thereof receiving said pivot means and cooperating with said stop means to limit the lateral movement thereof when in operative position, said stop means being removable to permit the further lateral movement oisaid coupler through approximately ninety degrees to inoperative position, wherein said coupler is longitudinally movable on said pivot means along said longitudinal slot to permit the housing of said normal length coupler in said relatively shallow pilot.

FRANK H. KAYLER. 

